Pesticide - Knowledge Automated Testing System
(P-KATS)
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
implemented this best practice in March 1999
Qualifying under the Best Practices catalogue:
3 Provide Capabilities
31 Manage resources and capabilities
312 Deliver products and services to customers
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Best Practice Summary
(how it works, how you measure it)
On October 31, 1999, there were 9,707 certified commercial pesticide applicators in Virginia. Applicants for certification as commercial pesticide applicators in Virginia may now take required certification examinations at one of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customer centers that routinely administer driver tests. Twenty-two pesticide applicator certification examinations have been automated and established on individual test workstations at more than 70 Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers throughout the Commonwealth. In the process of converting the old paper-based examinations to a computer-based system, each examination was updated and improved with enhanced graphics. If an applicant achieves a passing score of 76% on the required examinations, they may begin to work independently immediately.
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Impact on the Process Organizational Performance (OUTCOMES)
Customer Service Enhancements:
With P-KATS |
Before P-KATS |
1. Over 70 Testing sites |
11 testing sites |
2. Testing 51/2 days a week |
Infrequent testing (monthly or weekly) |
3. Immediate certification |
20 day wait for certification |
4. Applicator can immediately assume the role of license applicator upon passing examination. |
Applicator had to be supervised until certification was received. |
Efficiency Enhancements:
With P-KATS |
Before P-KATS |
1. Automated Testing |
Manual test scoring |
2. Enhanced examination and graphics |
Outdated questions and poor graphics |
3. Less time to take exams |
More time-intensive exams |
4. Staff is used for more progressive purposes |
Staff resources were used to administer test and manually grade |
5. More efficient use of DMV hardware |
Some idle time on DMV testing hardware |
6. Automated item analysis of test items |
Limited item analysis |
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Best Practice Qualification
Customer acceptance has been exceptionally high. Virginia is the first state to have implemented an automated testing system for the certification of pesticide applicators.
Several other states have expressed an interest in such a system and at least two states havefollowed Virginia's lead and are now developing their own automated testing system. EPA Region III recently awarded the staff of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services "The Partnership In Environmental Protection Medal," in recognition of P-KATS.
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For Additional Information
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
P.O. Box 1163
Richmond, VA 23218
Marvin A. Lawson, Ph.D.
(804) 371-6559
mlawson@vdacs.state.va.us
Joseph A. Kapelewski
Internal Auditor
(804) 786-5400
jkapelewski@vdacs.state.va.us